Department of Education awards $17.2M contract for Southwest Regional Educational Laboratory Program to American Institutes for Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,231,873 ($17.2M)
Contractor: American Institutes for Research in the Behavioral Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2022-11-30
End Date: 2027-11-29
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO AWARD THE REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY PROGRAM REL, 2022-2027 CYCLE FOR THE SOUTHWEST REL
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20002
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $17.2 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO AWARD THE REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY PROGRAM REL, 2022-2027 CYCLE FOR THE SOUTHWEST REL Key points: 1. Contract aims to provide research and development services for education in the Southwest region. 2. The contract is structured as a Cost Plus Fixed Fee, indicating potential for cost overruns. 3. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 4. The duration of the contract is five years, aligning with the program's cycle. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541720 points to Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities. 6. The contract value is $17.2 million over its five-year term.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $17.2 million over five years averages to approximately $3.44 million per year. Benchmarking this against other Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) programs is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment. Without specific data on the scope of services and deliverables for this particular REL cycle, it's challenging to definitively assess value for money. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed tightly, as the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs plus a fixed fee for profit. This contrasts with fixed-price contracts which offer more cost certainty.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This suggests a competitive environment where multiple organizations likely vied for the contract. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition is generally a positive sign for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. This approach aims to leverage the market to find the most capable and cost-effective provider.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing services at a fair market price by fostering a competitive bidding environment.
Public Impact
Students, educators, and policymakers in the Southwest region (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado) will benefit from research-backed insights and professional development. The contract will support the delivery of research, technical assistance, and networking opportunities to improve education. Geographic impact is focused on the Southwest states, addressing regional educational challenges. The contract is expected to support a workforce of researchers, program evaluators, and education specialists.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type may lead to less cost certainty compared to fixed-price contracts.
- The specific deliverables and performance metrics need close monitoring to ensure value for money.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a five-year cycle requires robust oversight to maintain quality and responsiveness.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that should yield a qualified contractor.
- The five-year duration allows for sustained focus and impact on regional educational issues.
- The contract supports critical research and development in education, aligning with national priorities.
Sector Analysis
The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) program is a key initiative funded by the Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES). These labs conduct research and provide technical assistance to educators in specific geographic regions. The market for educational research and development services is diverse, involving universities, non-profit research organizations, and private consulting firms. This contract fits within the broader landscape of federal investment in education research, aiming to bridge the gap between research and practice. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other REL contracts and similar large-scale educational research grants.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and there is no specific mention of small business subcontracting goals in the provided details. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through this specific award appears limited. However, the prime contractor, American Institutes for Research, may engage small businesses as subcontractors depending on their project needs and internal policies. Further investigation into the subcontracting plan would be necessary to fully assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The CPFF contract type necessitates diligent financial oversight to ensure all reimbursed costs are allowable and reasonable. Performance monitoring will be critical to ensure the contractor meets the research and technical assistance objectives outlined in the contract. Transparency will be maintained through regular reporting requirements and potentially public dissemination of research findings. The Inspector General of the Department of Education would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs)
- Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Programs
- Education Research and Development Grants
- Federal Education Policy Support
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
- Potential for scope creep in long-term research and development contracts.
- Geographic focus on the Southwest may limit broader applicability of findings without careful dissemination.
Tags
research-and-development, education, regional-laboratory, department-of-education, institute-of-education-sciences, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, southwest, american-institutes-for-research, social-sciences, humanities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $17.2 million to AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO AWARD THE REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORY PROGRAM REL, 2022-2027 CYCLE FOR THE SOUTHWEST REL
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-11-30. End: 2027-11-29.
What is the track record of American Institutes for Research (AIR) in managing similar large-scale federal research contracts, particularly within the education sector?
American Institutes for Research (AIR) has a substantial track record in managing large-scale federal research and technical assistance contracts, particularly within the education sector. They have been a long-standing participant and often a prime contractor for various Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) programs funded by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) for many years. Their experience spans a wide range of educational topics, from early childhood education to post-secondary success, and includes developing and disseminating research findings, providing professional development, and supporting evidence-based practices. AIR's history with the REL program specifically suggests a deep understanding of the program's goals, operational requirements, and stakeholder engagement needs. Their extensive portfolio indicates a capacity to manage complex projects, diverse research methodologies, and significant federal funding, making them a well-established entity in this domain.
How does the average annual value of this contract ($3.44 million) compare to other Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) contracts awarded in recent cycles?
The average annual value of this contract, approximately $3.44 million ($17.2 million over 5 years), is generally in line with other Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) contracts. The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) typically awards REL contracts for five-year periods, and their funding levels often fall within the range of $3 million to $5 million per year per region. Factors influencing the exact value include the specific geographic scope of the region, the complexity of the educational challenges addressed, and the breadth of services required (e.g., research, technical assistance, dissemination). While precise year-over-year comparisons require access to historical award data for all RELs, this $17.2 million award for the Southwest REL cycle appears to be a standard and expected funding level for such a comprehensive, multi-state educational research and support initiative.
What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for a five-year research program?
The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for a five-year research program like the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) center revolve around cost control and potential for scope creep. In a CPFF contract, the government reimburses the contractor for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. The main risk for the government is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as their profit is fixed regardless of the actual costs incurred. This can lead to higher overall expenditures if not managed diligently. Additionally, the flexibility inherent in research can sometimes lead to 'scope creep,' where the project expands beyond its original objectives, potentially increasing costs further. Robust government oversight, clear performance metrics, and strict adherence to allowable cost principles are essential to mitigate these risks.
What is the expected impact of this contract on improving educational outcomes in the Southwest region?
The expected impact of this contract on improving educational outcomes in the Southwest region is significant, though indirect. The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Southwest, operated by American Institutes for Research, is tasked with conducting high-quality research relevant to the needs of educators and policymakers in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The program aims to provide evidence-based practices, tools, and professional development that educators can implement in their classrooms and schools. By bridging the gap between research and practice, the REL seeks to help educators make more informed decisions, adopt effective instructional strategies, and address specific regional challenges. The ultimate goal is to improve student learning, achievement, and overall educational equity across the diverse populations within the Southwest.
How has federal spending on Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) programs evolved over the past decade, and does this award represent a significant shift?
Federal spending on Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) programs, administered by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), has remained relatively consistent over the past decade, generally hovering around $50-60 million annually for the entire network of RELs. The REL program structure typically involves awarding contracts to manage laboratories for specific geographic regions, with each contract lasting approximately five years. The current award of $17.2 million for the Southwest REL cycle is consistent with the funding levels seen in previous cycles for individual RELs. Therefore, this award does not represent a significant shift in overall federal spending trends for the REL program but rather a continuation of the established funding model and commitment to regional educational research and support across the country.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 91990022R0011
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1400 CRYSTAL DR FL 10, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $26,465,097
Exercised Options: $20,965,097
Current Obligation: $17,231,873
Actual Outlays: $13,145,712
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 6
Total Subaward Amount: $2,611,076
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-11-30
Current End Date: 2027-11-29
Potential End Date: 2027-11-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-15
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